Town Seeks Dismissal of Case From Alleged Norton Victim

STOUGHTON, MA — Attorneys for the Stoughton Public Schools are calling for a case filed by the alleged victim of former Stoughton High School teacher Tim Norton to be dismissed.

A motion to dismiss the case from U.S. District Court in Boston was filed by the attorney for the Town of Stoughton, Stoughton High School Principal Juliette Miller and Superintendent Marguerite Rizzi Dec. 20. The victim and her attorney, Richard Rafferty have until Jan. 17 to respond.

In their motion, the Town argues that allegations made by the victim, identified only as Jane Doe, is devoid of any factual allegations. The Town, Miller, and Rizzi face allegations from the woman that they did not perform their duty as mandated reporters when they had reason to suspect an inappropriate relationship between Norton and the victim, who was 17 when the relationship allegedly started. Additionally, Miller and Rizzi are accused of either neglecting their responsibility or not being properly trained in their positions as mandated reporters and did not report signs of grooming to police. Stoughton Public Schools policy forbids relationships between teachers and students, even after they have graduated.

"Indeed, the allegations against Miller and Rizzi are that they should have recognized Norton’s alleged 'grooming' behavior, that they neglected their duties as mandated reporters, and that they should have investigated further into Norton and Plaintiff’s alleged relationship. These allegations simply do not amount to threats, intimidation, or coercion," the defendants wrote through their attorney Douglas I. Louison.

The relationship allegedly became sexual in February 2015, with Miller opening an investigation that fall. Neither Norton or the victim were disciplined for their relationship and the relationship allegedly continued as the victim started college before ending in September 2017.

Town lawyers also argued that the Town had no evidence that Norton was sexually harassing the victim prior to September 2017, when Norton's relationship was reported to school officials and he was forced to resign.

"Here, it is undeniable that the Town’s initial investigation and subsequent termination of Norton were reasonable in light of the known circumstances," Louison wrote.

Neither Norton nor school officials have publicly commented on the allegations.

Below is the full motion to dismiss:

Motion to Dismiss Doe v. Stoughon by DanLibon on Scribd

Image: File Photo